The Planet's Response

"We're doomed!"

Tang Wulin clutched her head, and Xie Xie beside her clearly felt the same way.

"Exactly! Why did Luo Qing go and become the final boss? How are we supposed to beat that?"

Xie Xie sprawled across the desk and wailed.

"Is it really that exaggerated?"

Gu Yue tilted her head as she looked at the two of them.

"Exaggerated? Not at all!"

"You've never stood against him and faced that suffocating feeling of having absolutely no ability to fight back."

Xie Xie recalled that sparring session. He could clearly tell that Luo Qing had held back then. Otherwise, that skill with its zero-frame startup would have been enough to cut him down several times over.

"That's just because you're timid. As a noble ranged unit, all I have to do is keep him from getting close, right?"

Gu Yue was unconcerned. Although the power she could currently mobilize was limited, and she could not use strength beyond what a Great Soul Master should possess, how could the well-traveled Silver Dragon King possibly be frightened by a Luo Qing who had yet to awaken his true nature?

"But..."

Tang Wulin wanted to say more, but Gu Yue cut her off directly.

"Don't boost others' morale while crushing our own! The three of us will form a team, and I'll be the captain—"

"Forget Luo Qing. Even Teacher Wu might not be unbeatable."

Gu Yue looked brimming with confidence. Xie Xie and Tang Wulin exchanged a glance, each seeing helplessness in the other's eyes.

"You two have simply been scared out of your wits."

"When the time comes, just watch how I handle it!"

Gu Yue decisively took on the role of captain, and news of the three forming a team naturally reached Wu Zhangkong as well.

"Those three formed a team?"

"Interesting!"

Wu Zhangkong looked at the three profiles before him: Gu Yue, who could restrain and disrupt enemies from afar; Tang Wulin, who could provide the main damage output at critical moments; and Xie Xie, who could roam and provide support.

"Are you confident about facing this lineup?"

Wu Zhangkong raised his head and glanced at Luo Qing, who sat beside his desk.

"I think it should be fine. They don't seem to have any large-scale anti-air capabilities."

Wu Zhangkong immediately frowned.

"Can you keep that soul skill that lets you fly active for a long time?"

"Barely half an hour, I guess."

"And while it's active, my resistance to all kinds of elements, control effects, and negative effects increases significantly."

Wu Zhangkong froze. What kind of heavenly skill was that? It came with mobility, full resistance, and increased defense? More importantly, it made him a noble aerial unit?

"Now I understand why you're confident about challenging so many people."

"But what will you do if you run out of soul power?"

Wu Zhangkong looked seriously at the student before him, perhaps the most monstrous student he had encountered since becoming a teacher.

"Don't worry. My first soul skill can provide me with a great deal of soul power support during battle."

Luo Qing did not explain the skill completely. He only mentioned that it could reduce soul power consumption in battle and greatly increase the rate at which he recovered soul power during combat.

Wu Zhangkong: "?"

"Did some expert guide you in choosing such well-coordinated skills?"

"No? They were given by a soul spirit..."

Luo Qing summoned the Blue-Eyes Spirit. The tiny young dragon lay on his shoulder and lazily yawned.

"A dragon-type soul spirit? No wonder..."

What was Wu Zhangkong feeling at that moment?

Could this be another Pavilion Master Yun?

This guy reminded him of Yun Ming.

"Fine. If there's no problem on your end, I'll submit the application report."

"The purpose of advancing classes is to gather outstanding students into one class for instruction."

"If possible, I hope you can serve as class monitor then."

Luo Qing pointed at himself, his face full of disbelief.

"Me, class monitor? Seriously? Wouldn't that be a lot of trouble?"

Wu Zhangkong looked at him speechlessly. This kid was good in every way, but for some reason, he always seemed rather laid-back. Was there really nothing he cared about?

"To be honest, your attitude really isn't suitable for being a soul master."

Wu Zhangkong gathered the documents on the desk and looked seriously at Luo Qing.

"Is there truly nothing you want to accomplish?"

"Something I truly want to accomplish?"

Luo Qing looked at his hands. Whenever he recalled the details of his transmigration, a question would always surface.

Why did everything he did seem to go exactly as he wished? Why did someone always step in to help whenever he encountered difficulties?

This smooth-sailing feeling had changed him as well. He had begun to believe that someone was manipulating everything from behind the scenes.

As if he were the protagonist of a play, and someone was building a stage for him.

And now, Wu Zhangkong had asked whether there was anything he truly cared about.

How could there not be?

There was Grandma Mary, who had adopted him; Tang Wulin, who had disliked him at first but gradually gotten used to him; and Na'er, with her childish voice, who always loved following behind him.

"There is, Teacher. I understand what you mean."

Luo Qing opened his eyes. There was nothing else in them now. His former laziness had vanished completely, replaced by something strange. In his own words, it was probably fighting spirit.

"From now on, I won't hold back anymore. Against all those friends challenging me in the class advancement matches, I'll give it my all."

"If anything unexpected happens then, I hope Teacher can step in and help."

Wu Zhangkong gave him a deep look.

"As long as you know what you're doing. As for the help you mentioned, that is my duty as a teacher."

After chatting a little longer, Luo Qing turned and took his leave.

The walk out of the office felt especially long, with memories of the past vividly replaying in his mind.

So close. I almost forgot what was truly in my heart. Wasn't I originally planning to overthrow Tang Clan Gold-Farming Service?

This planet should have had its own consciousness to begin with, right?

He did not believe that a world capable of giving birth to such a thriving ecosystem, and even two gods, could be possessed so easily.

"Then, if you really exist, give me a small hint..."

"Douluo Star, if you really are watching..."

Luo Qing slightly parted his lips. A yellowed leaf drifted down and gently brushed across his brow like a human hand.

Luo Qing frowned and picked up the leaf.

The leaf resembled an unfolded folding fan, golden yellow in color.

It was a ginkgo leaf.

"Why is there a ginkgo leaf here?"

Luo Qing thought to himself.

Suddenly, he remembered what had happened to the ginkgo tree and added another sentence.

"If you want me to save you, send another one?"

Another ginkgo leaf gently landed on his brow.

Looking at the leaf in his palm, Luo Qing clenched his hand tightly around it.

"I understand. I'll save you—definitely!"